Search and rescue continues for Philippine ferry sinking victims

The Philippine Coast Guard is still looking for those missing in capsized ferry Kim Nirvana-B.

The vessel, a motorised ferry carrying 173 passengers and 14 crew members, capsized approximately 200 m from Ormoc while en route to Pilar in Camotes Island, Cebu, at around 12:15 h local time on 2 July.

The vessel can be seen from the shore and divers are searching for bodies and survivors, media reports have said.

“As of 06:00 h local time on 3 July, Coast Guard Action Center in Manila has recorded a total of 134 rescued passengers and 38 casualties while 15 are still missing,” the statement said.

The Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Ormoc City government, and other local government units have also been helping the Philippine Coast Guard, the statement said.

Much of the transport between islands in this archipelago nation is done in small boats or ferries.

However, weak regulation and oversight mean many of the ferries are poorly maintained.

Many of the ferries carry both goods and people, leading to problems with overloading.

Philippine Coast Guard spokesman, Armand Balilo, told reporters no sign of overloading has been found so far with the Kim Nirvana-B. Crew error is not being discounted.

As the third anniversary of the entry into force of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) approaches, Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) is embarking on a comprehensive study on the effectiveness of the Convention. The study has been commissioned by the International Transport Workers’ Federation. It will be an in-depth and... Read more →